Sankofa Chicago(2021)

Thriller 40(en)

Forty years after the release of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ the best-selling album of all-time, director Nelson George takes fans back in time to the making of a pop masterpiece, featuring never-before-seen footage and candid interviews.

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library(en)

A documentary about how a dominant cultural and demographic institution both sustains their traditional activities and adapts to the digital revolution.

One Direction: This Is Us(en)

"One Direction: This Is Us" is a captivating and intimate all-access look at life on the road for the global music phenomenon. Weaved with stunning live concert footage, this inspiring feature film tells the remarkable story of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis' meteoric rise to fame, from their humble hometown beginnings and competing on the X-Factor, to conquering the world and performing at London’s famed O2 Arena. Hear it from the boys themselves and see through their own eyes what it's really like to be One Direction.

David Byrne's American Utopia(en)

A filmed version of David Byrne's Broadway show, a unifying musical celebration that inspires audiences to connect to each other and to the global community.

The Irishman: In Conversation(en)

Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino in conversation about The Irishman.

The U.S. vs. John Lennon(en)

A documentary on the life of John Lennon, with a focus on the time in his life when he transformed from a musician into an antiwar activist.

Avicii: True Stories(en)

Documentary about the arena-packing Swedish DJ, chronicling his explosive rise to fame and surprising decision to retire from live performances in 2016.

Girl Rising(en)

Nine filmmakers each profile a young girl from a different part of the world to weave a global tapestry of youth in the 21st century.

Baraka(en)

A paralysingly beautiful documentary with a global vision—an odyssey through landscape and time—that attempts to capture the essence of life.

Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction(en)

An impressionistic portrait of the iconic actor Harry Dean Stanton comprised of intimate moments, film clips from some of his 250 films and his renditions of American folk songs.

Western Stars(en)

The incomparable Bruce Springsteen performs his critically acclaimed latest album and muses on life, rock, and the American dream, in this intimate and personal concert film co-directed by Thom Zimny and Springsteen himself.

OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)(en)

Grammy® winner singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo takes a familiar road trip from Salt Lake City, where she began writing her debut album “SOUR,” to Los Angeles. Along the way, Rodrigo recounts the memories of writing and creating her record-breaking debut album and shares her feelings as a young woman navigating a specific time in her life. Through new live arrangements of her songs, intimate interviews and never-before-seen footage from the making of the album, audiences will follow Olivia along on a cinematic journey exploring the story of “SOUR.”

Naqoyqatsi(en)

A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.

The Summers of It - Chapter Two: It Ends(en)

This documentary focuses on the actors and their journey over two summers to create the remake to the original IT, by Stephen King. The documentary originally released as bonus material, bundled with IT: Chapter Two.

A Plastic Ocean(en)

A documentary focused on plastic pollution in the world's oceans.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: Handcarved Cinema(en)

With mesmerizing footage and time lapses of animators at work, this behind-the-scenes special captures the artistry of a unique tale years in the making.

Halloween: 25 Years of Terror(en)

Follow the evolution of the 'Halloween' movies over the past twenty-five years. It examines why the films are so popular and revisits many of the original locations used in the films - seeing the effects on the local community. For the first time, cast, crew, critics and fans join together in the ultimate 'Halloween' retrospective.

Katy Perry: Part of Me(en)

Giving fans unprecedented access to the real life of the music sensation, Katy Perry: Part of Me exposes the hard work, dedication and phenomenal talent of a girl who remained true to herself and her vision in order to achieve her dreams. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes interviews, personal moments between Katy and her friends, and all-access footage of rehearsals, choreography, Katy’s signature style and more, Katy Perry: Part of Me reveals the singer’s unwavering belief that if you can be yourself, then you can be anything.

Downloaded(en)

A documentary that explores the downloading revolution; the kids that created it, the bands and the businesses that were affected by it, and its impact on the world at large.

To Be Takei(en)

Over seven decades, actor and activist George Takei journeyed from a World War II internment camp to the helm of the Starship Enterprise, and then to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans. Join George and his husband, Brad, on a wacky and profound trek for life, liberty, and love.

The Maroons(en)

A film about the Maroons—freed or escaped slaves that created their own communities during slavery. Both stories are examples of Gerima’s driving motivation—sankofa, reclaiming the past in order to move forward.

Sankofa Chicago: The Untold(en)

This episode uncovers the gaps in history education and highlights the overlooked contributions of Black and Brown communities, urging a more inclusive and accurate curriculum.

Mother(de)

Bewildering, amusing, insightful: Anke Engelke acts out eight authentic interviews, assembling them into a gigantic mosaic about motherhood.

100 Yillik Armagan(tr)

Written and directed by Ali Taner Baltacı, this 40-minute production brings Atatürk and other important figures of Turkish political history to the screen.

On Freedom of Movement (wi de muv)(en)

The film considers what it means to be free to move, not as in leave or flee, but to move. It explores the ability of the environments we live in – especially cities – to create the space people need to move. Shot in Freetown, Sierra Leone, it explores the power of the creative sectors in the city and their immense potential.

HBO backstories - WATCHMEN(en)

A behind-the-scenes look at what inspired showrunner Damon Lindelof to create the HBO series Watchmen.

Soul of a Nation Presents: Together As One: Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage(en)

Primetime program celebrating the diversity and recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of the vibrant Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community

Life isn't a Godard Film(es)

Bi and By(en)

A man struggles with uniting different aspects of his identity. He finds some solace in a conversation with his cousins who experience similar challenges. Insights and advice are shared in the hope of connecting further with their black and queer identities. They will get there,‘Bi and by’.

Friendly Mongolia(en)

A three-member team of the Films Division of the Government of India visited Mongolia during July 1986 to produce a documentary on the People's Republic of Mongolia.

The Nun – 25 Years in a Convent(sv)

Marta comes from a deeply devout Catholic family, they are nine siblings. After high school, she entered the strictest of all monastic orders, the Carmelite Order. Marta lives according to monastic rules that were instituted in the Middle Ages, she lives a life of prayer and silence, and never leaves the monastery. Seven times a year, she receives visits from her family; they meet in a visiting room separated by bars. Today, Marta is 45 years old and has lived her entire adult life in the convent. The siblings have chosen different paths in life, they live in very different places in the world. The film follows a family across three generations, who have all chosen to live with God at the center. A film about faith and existential questions.

Riding Giants(en)

Riding Giants is story about big wave surfers who have become heroes and legends in their sport. Directed by the skateboard guru Stacy Peralta.

Black Sabbath: Vol. 4 Documentary(en)

A deep-dive into the creation, chaos, and cultural impact of Black Sabbath’s 1972 masterpiece, Vol. 4 — the album that redefined heavy metal while nearly destroying the band in the process.

Worlds Within: The Life of Ian Marter(en)

In 1974, Ian Marter was cast as Harry Sullivan, opposite Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen, in a new era of Doctor Who. Marter was meant to be the show’s action man, but just months prior to joining, his erratic health nearly caused his death. This new feature-length documentary explores in intimate detail Marter’s turbulent, enigmatic and brilliant life.

Germany: A Summer's Fairytale(de)

A documentary of the German national soccer team’s 2006 World Cup experience that changed the face of modern Germany.

WITCH: We Intend to Cause Havoc(en)

The film follows the 21st Century formation of WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc), Zambia's most popular rock band of the 1970s, and documents the life of its lead singer, Jagari, whose name is an Africanisation of Mick Jagger's. Through the resurrection of a music that was forgotten by many and unheard by most, the film explores the life of a former African rock-star, and the excitement around the rediscovery of his music by Western fans, many of whom had yet to be born when his last album was released.

How the Snowman Came Back to Life(en)

Raymond Briggs gives a rare glimpse into his world as we visit the animation studios where a small army of people are working to produce the new film, The Snowman and The Snowdog.

Poor Europe(de)

Why 119 million people in Europe live under the breadline today. How could this happen? The reality of deprived children, unemployed young adults, and indigent workers spreads all around the Union. What does Europe do for them? Visiting young unemployed people in Ireland, Italy and Portugal, this film investigates beyond the social and economic aspects and outlines how this situation impacts the politics.

Paris to Pittsburgh(en)

Paris to Pittsburgh brings to life the impassioned efforts of individuals who are battling the most severe threats of climate change in their own backyards. Set against the national debate over the United States' energy future - and the Trump administration's explosive decision to exit the Paris Climate Agreement - the film captures what's at stake for communities around the country and the inspiring ways Americans are responding.

The Voice of Ljudmila(sv)

Ljudmila Ignatenko tells the story of her and her husband Vasilij, a firefighter who was one of the victims of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.